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  4. Title 21: Career Fields & Pay
  1. Jobs and Training at FDA

Title 21: Career Fields & Pay

Title 21 Career Fields

  • Scientific Careers involve conducting research, experiments, and analyses to support the development, review, and regulation of medical products, food, and cosmetics. These positions typically require education and/or experience in scientific disciplines such as biology, chemistry, pharmacology, or related fields. Their work may include studying the safety and efficacy of new products, developing testing methods, analyzing data, and contributing scientific knowledge to inform regulatory decision-making. 
  • Technical Careers involve applying specialized knowledge and skills in practical and operational aspects of science and technology in the development, review, and regulation of medical products, food, and cosmetics. These positions typically require expertise in specific technical areas, problem-solving ability, and the use of specialized equipment or software.
  • Professional Careers involve a high-level of responsibility, decision-making, and professional judgement and typically require specialized and advanced education, training, and expertise in a particular field to assist in the development, review, and regulation of medical products, food, and cosmetics. These positions often require adherence to ethical standards and commitment to continuous professional development. 
  • Cross-Cutting Operational Careers support the overarching and integrative functions necessary for the development, review, and regulation of medical products, food, and cosmetics. These positions often involve tasks that span across different areas, facilitating coordination and administrative efficiency, and may include positions such as project management,  administrative support, managerial, and business operations roles.
  • Physician Careers refers to a medical doctor roles involved in the development, review, and regulation of medical products, food, and cosmetics, typically utilizing their medical expertise to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and quality of these products. Their responsibilities may include reviewing clinical trial data, assessing adverse event reports, providing medical insights for regulatory decisions and ensuring that products meet health and safety standards.
  • Executive Careers refer to a high-level roles that involves overseeing and directing the operations and strategic direction of the organization and specific programs. Executives are responsible for making significant decision, defining policies,  and ensuring the effective implementation of strategies to support the development, review, and regulation of medical products, food, and cosmetics.  FDA Executives play a crucial role in maintaining the FDA’s effectiveness and integrity, ensuring that the Agency can protect public health through rigorous scientific and regulatory standards.

Title 21 Pay

Title 21 offers a Pay for Performance structure with flexible and broad pay bands that provide:

  • Competitive salaries designed to reward education, experience and performance
  • Opportunities to earn annual pay increases based on performance, not just longevity
  • The unique opportunity for executives to earn performance-based pay increases and awards based on individual and agency performance
  Title 21 Bands GS Equivalent
Entry-Level Q-Z 1-10
Non-Managerial A-C 11-13
Senior-Level D-F 14-15+
Executives G-I SES
  Title 21 Bands GS Equivalent
Physician (Non-Supervisory) C 14
Physician (Team Lead/Senior) D 15
Physician (Various Supervisory) D-F 15
Physician (Executive) G-H SES+

Salary ranges include locality pay. A Title 21 employee’s total salary cannot exceed the current legislative cap of $400,000. For detailed information on Title 21 pay and associated bands, please refer the Pay Tables below.

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